WCBA Bench-Bar Conference slated for May 8

The Judiciary Committee of the Washtenaw County Bar Association will hold its 26th Annual Bench-Bar Conference noon to 4 p.m., Friday, May 8, at Travis Pointe Country Club.

The keynote speaker will be Valerie J.M. Brader, deputy legal counsel and senior policy advisor to Gov. Rick Snyder, who will speak on "The Detroit Bankruptcy An Insider's View."

Michael J. Gatti of Dawid & Gatti in Ann Arbor will be honored with the 4th Annual Pro Bono/Public Service Award.

Lori A. Buiteweg, President Elect, State Bar of Michigan, will provide a State Bar update; and an update on the state of the Washtenaw County courts will be provided by Hon. David S. Swartz, Chief Judge, Washtenaw County Trial Court; Hon. Elizabeth P. Hines, Chief Judge, 15th District Court; Hon. Richard E. Conlin, Chief Judge, 14A District Court; and the Hon. Charles J. Pope, Chief Judge, 14B District Court.

The cost is $55, and includes a lunch buffet, and post-event cocktails. RSVP by May 1 to Candy Newton, newtonc@ewashtenaw.org or call 734-994-4912.

The conference is sponsored by Washtenaw County Public Defender Lloyd Powell; Dykema; FindLaw; Garris, Garris, Garris & Garris, P.C.; Laurie S. Longo, JustMichiganAppeals.com; Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone, PLC; and Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach & Buiteweg, P.C. If you would like to be a sponsor, contact Kyeena Slater at 734-994-4912 or email slaterk@ewashtenaw.org.